. The library of historic characters and famous events of all nations and all ages;. f the greatest empire in the universe. Itis, however, a shocking reflection that this reformer of man-kind should have been deficient in that first of all virtues, thevirtue of humanity. Brutality in his pleasures, ferocity in PETER THE GREAT. 349 his manners, and cruelty in his punishments, sullied thelustre of so many virtues. He civilized his subjects, and yetremained himself a barbarian. He would sometimes, withhis own hands, execute sentences of death upon the unhappycriminals; and, in the midst of a reve
. The library of historic characters and famous events of all nations and all ages;. f the greatest empire in the universe. Itis, however, a shocking reflection that this reformer of man-kind should have been deficient in that first of all virtues, thevirtue of humanity. Brutality in his pleasures, ferocity in PETER THE GREAT. 349 his manners, and cruelty in his punishments, sullied thelustre of so many virtues. He civilized his subjects, and yetremained himself a barbarian. He would sometimes, withhis own hands, execute sentences of death upon the unhappycriminals; and, in the midst of a revel, would show his dex-terity in cutting off heads. There are princes in Africa, who, with their own hands,shed the blood of their subjects; but these kings are alwajSdetested as barbarians. The death of a son, whom he oughtto have corrected, or at most disinherited, would render thememory of Peter the object of universal hatred, were it notthat the great and many blessings he bestowed upon his sub-jects were almost sufficient to excuse his cruelty to his ownoffspring.—
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